Key chain

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to a key chain that includes a key ring and a key encircled by the key ring. The key tag is attached to the key ring via at least one attachment element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 61/977,093, filed on Apr. 9, 2014, the contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a mechanical device that helps users manageand organize keys for one or multiple residential or commercialproperties.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to key chains with integrated key tagsthat help users better organize keys to their properties. The presentinvention integrates key tags with the key rings, resulting in new keychains. The key ring and key tag become one object, instead of twoobjects. More specifically, the key tag is encircled by the key ring andis attached to the key ring via one or two rods. The key tag has theoption to rotate freely along the rods. The key tag can be centered, oroff centered inside the key ring. The key ring can have the shape of acircle, an oval or it can have other shapes. Optionally, another smallerring (the attachment ring) may be attached to the main key ring on theoutside. The attachment ring can be used to attach the main key ring toanother object such as the belt loop, another key ring, etc . . . Thebenefit of such an invention is that the key rings and key tags occupyless space. Additionally, the key tags are better organized in relationto the keys, therefore it takes less time for users to find the keys.Optionally, there can be a bump on a ring segment. When the bump ispressed down, the tip of the ring segment rises, creating an opening forthe key to enter.

INTRODUCTION

The key rings and key tags on the market today typically are twoseparate objects. The key tags are used to mark the names for the keysso that the keys can be identified. The key rings and key tags areloosely attached to each other by putting the key tags through the loopand onto the rings. The drawback for this arrangement of key rings andkey tags is that it occupies more space and it can be messy.

A new key chain has been invented to integrate a key ring with a keytag. Several embodiments of this invention are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and will be described in more detail herein below.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows some of the existing key rings and key tags on the market.

FIG. 2 shows various views of a key chain where the key tag is offcenter and there are two bumps on the ring.

FIG. 3 shows various views of another key chain where the key tag is offcenter and there is only one bump on the ring.

FIG. 4 shows the key ring shape to be oval.

FIG. 5 shows various views of how the key tag and the attachment ringfit onto the ring to allow rotation of the key tag and the attachmentring.

FIG. 6 shows various views of another key chain where the key tag iscentered and there are two bumps on the ring.

FIG. 7 shows various views of the key chain where one of the ring bumpis pressed down.

FIG. 8 shows various views of another key chain where the key tag iscentered and there is no attachment ring.

FIG. 9 shows various views of another key chain where the key tag iscentered and there is no attachment ring.

FIG. 10 shows various views of another key chain where the key tag iscentered and the ring segments have the shape of a cylinder.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a key chain assembly where multiple keys,and key chains are attached to each other to form an assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will now bedescribed with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in thevarious figures are identified, as much as possible, with the samereference numerals. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanationof the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto.In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon readingthe present specification and viewing the present drawings that variousmodifications and variations can be made thereto without deviating fromthe innovative concepts of the invention.

For clarity purposes, some identical elements in the same figure are notall marked. Marking of one of the identical elements serves as anindication for the reference to the other elements.

FIG. 1 shows the key rings and key tags sold on the market today. Thekey rings and key tags are separate objects. They are loosely attachedto each other, therefore they takes up more space, and become messy whenthere are quite a few of them.

FIG. 2 shows the top, bottom and side perspective views of a key chainwhere the key tag is off center. This embodiment comprises a key ring100, a key tag 200 and a ring attachment 700.

The key ring 100 comprises a head ring segment 120, a tail ring segment110, two bump ring segments 140, two no-bump ring segments 160. The headand tail ring segments 120 and 110 are cylinder segments curved as partof a circle. The shape doesn't have to be a circle, it can be an oval orother shapes. Both bump ring segments 140, and both no-bump ringsegments 160 are half a cylinder where the cylinder is cut horizontallyin half, they are also called horizontal cylindrical segments. Thesering segments are also curved as part of the circle. Additionally, abump ring segment 140 has a bump 141 and a bump tip 142. When the bump141 is pressed down, the bump tip 142 goes up. Additionally, a no-bumpring segment 160 has a no-bump tip 162. The no-bump tip 162 allows thekey to exit after traveling between the opposing ring segments.

The key tag 200 comprises a tag disk 210 and a head attachment rod 240.The tag disk 210 has an outer rim 211. The tag disk 210 also has aninner disk 212. An adhesive and removal label 213 where the names can bewritten can be placed on a face of the inner disk 212. The name writtenon the label can be used to identify the key(s) hanging off the keychain with the label. Alternatively, if a set of key chains and/or keysare hanging off the key chain with the label, then the name on the labelcan be used to identify this set of key chains and/or keys. Optionally,an image, a text or a combination of various media can be placed on aface of the inner disk 212. This multimedia content can be used forpromotional or advertising purposes. For example, one face of the innerdisk 212 can have a promotional logo (e.g., BMW logo), and the otherface can have an adhesive and removable label. The outer rim 211 isslightly raised as compared to the inner disk 212 so that the outer rim211 protects the label 213 from wear and tear on the label's edges. Thehead attachment rod 240 is an attachment element used to attach the tagdisk 210 onto the head ring segment 120. Optionally, it can be designedso that the head attachment rod 240 rotates freely while attached to thehead ring segment 120. Since the tag disk 210 are attached in a fix wayto the attachment rod 240, the tag disk 210 can rotate freely as well.

The ring attachment 700 comprises an attachment ring 720 and a ringattachment rod 710. The ring attachment rod 710 is an attachment elementwhere it can freely rotate around the attached head ring segment 120.Since the attachment ring 720 is attached to the ring attachment rod 710in a fixed way, the attachment ring 720 can rotate freely as well. Thering attachment 700 is optional. It helps the key ring 100 to attach toanother object such as a belt loop or another key ring. The rotation ofthe attachment ring 720 allows the key ring 100 to hang better off thebelt loop, for example. And it facilitates finding the right keysquickly.

To attach a key to the key ring 100, a user can press down one of thetwo bumps 141 to raise the attached bump tip 142 so that it is easierfor the key to enter the opening. Key rings on the market today requirea user to dig in with his/her finger nails to open up the ring tip. Oncethe key enters the opening, it continues to travel between two opposingring segments and comes out of the no-bump tip end 162. Additionally auser can label the attached keys by writing on the label. Since the ringtag 200 is encircled by the key ring 100, no extra space is taken by thering tag 200.

To detach a key from the key ring 100, a user can press down one of thetwo bumps 141 to raise the attached bump tip 142 so that it is easierfor the key to enter the opening. Once the key enters the opening, itcontinues to travel between two opposing ring segments and comes out ofthe no-bump tip end 162. This way, the key is detached from the key ring100.

FIG. 3 shows the top, bottom and side perspective views of another keychain where the key tag is off center and there is only one bump on thering. The main difference between FIG. 3 and FIG. 2 is that there isonly one bump ring segment 140 in FIG. 3 instead of two as shown in FIG.2. As a result, there are three no-bump ring segments 160 in FIG. 3.Therefore, there is only one bump 141 and one bump tip 142 in FIG. 3.This is an alternate design that simplifies the key chain shown in FIG.2.

FIG. 4 shows the top, bottom and side perspective views of another keychain where the key tag is off center and there is only one bump on thering. The difference between FIG. 4 and FIG. 3 is that the key ring hasthe oval shape in FIG. 4 instead of the circle shape in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows the various views of a rotation mechanism that can be usedin FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 where the key tag and the attachment ring fit ontothe ring to allow rotation of the key tag and the attachment ring. FIG.5 View C shows that the key tag and the attachment ring are two separateobjects. Both the head attachment rod 240 and the ring attachment rod710 have a flat cap, namely 241 and 711 respectively. FIG. 5 View Bshows how the head attachment rod 240 and the ring attachment rod 710fit into the supporting bottom ring segment 122. Since the flat caps 241and 711 have a larger radius than the rest of the respective rods 240and 710, the flat caps 241 and 711 can fixate the head attachment rod240 and the ring attachment rod 710 respectively onto the bottom ringsegment 122 which is part of the head ring segment 120. Then the topring segment 121 which is part of the head ring segment 120 is placed ontop of the bottom ring segment 122. The top and bottom ring segments 121and 122 are welded together at the seams as shown in FIG. 5 View A. Thisrotation mechanism is one way to allow rotation for both the tag disk210 and the attachment ring 720 as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. Therotation mechanism is not limited to this mechanism alone. There can beother rotation mechanisms. In this embodiment, the head attachment rod240 is permanently fixated onto the key tag with no rotation. Therotation of the key tag takes place at the intersection of the head ringsegment 120, and the head attachment rod 240 and the flat cap 241. Inanother embodiment, the head attachment rod 240 can be permanentlyfixated onto the head ring segment 120 without rotation. The rotationtakes place at the opposite end of the attachment rod 240 where the headattachment rod 240 and the flat cap 241, and the key tag are co-located.Similarly, the rotation of the attachment ring can take place at theopposite end of the ring attachment rod where the attachment ring, andthe ring attachment rod and the flat cap are co-located.

FIG. 6 shows the top, bottom and side perspective views of another keychain where the key tag is centered and there are two bumps on the ring.The difference between FIG. 6 and FIG. 2 is that the key tag is centeredinstead of being off centered. Additionally, there are two attachmentelements, namely the head attachment rod 240 and the tail attachment rod250 instead of just the head attachment rod 240. Both the head and thetail attachment rods 240 and 250 can use the same rotation mechanism asshown in FIG. 5. Similarly, the attachment ring 700 also can use thesame rotation mechanism as shown in FIG. 5. This embodiment in FIG. 6has two organizing compartments for keys, namely 310 and 320. These twoorganizing compartments are separate from each other, therefore the keysthat are attached to one compartment cannot enter the other compartment.Sometimes the two compartments may be preferred by users because theusers may have two sets of keys to organize, one set for eachcompartment. Additionally, the labels 2131 and 2132 correspond to thetwo compartments, each identifying the corresponding compartment. Thetwo labels 2131 and 2132 can be color coded for quicker identificationof keys. Elements such as 210, 211, 212, 710, 720,141, 142, and 140 arethe same in both FIG. 6 and FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 shows the top, bottom and side perspective views of a key chainwhere one of the ring bump is pressed down. FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6except that one of the bumps 141 is pressed down, resulting in theattached bump tip 142 to rise, thus creating an opening. Thisfacilitates the key to enter the opening. Also the label 213 isn'tdivided in half. Optionally it can be divided in half as shown in FIG.6.

FIG. 8 shows the top, bottom and side perspective views of another keychain. FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 6, except that there is no bumps orbump tips. In FIG. 8, there are four no-bump ring segments 140, eachending with a no-bump tip. Additionally, there is no attachment ring. Asmentioned previously, the attachment ring is optional.

FIG. 9 shows the top, bottom and side perspective views of another keychain where the key tag is centered and there is no attachment ring. Theonly difference between FIG. 9 and FIG. 8 is that the no-bump tips 162in FIG. 9 don't have a sloped edge instead they have a sharp edge.

FIG. 10 shows the top, bottom and side perspective views of another keychain where the ring segments have the shape of a cylinder instead ofhalf a cylinder. FIG. 10 and FIG. 6 are similar. The differences are thefollowing:

-   -   None of the four ring segments 170 have bumps in FIG. 10.    -   All ring segments 170 have the cylinder shape instead of half a        cylinder.    -   All four no-bump tips 172 have a different shape in FIG. 10.    -   The head and tail attachment rods 190 and 180 have a different        shape in FIG. 10. Both the head and tail attachment rods 190 and        180 are a curved cylinder as part of the key ring. Additionally,        each attachment rod curves vertically to allow the ring segments        around it to fit more compactly. This is shown in FIG. 10 Side        Perspective View where the attachment rod 180 is located.

FIG. 11 shows an example of an assembly 800 of multiple keys, and keychains that are attached to each other in an organized manner. Keys 600hang off the key chains 400, which hang off another key chain 300,forming a hierarchical structure. Additionally, the labels 2131 and 2132denote two separate properties with different addresses. Label 213denote a specific compartment at the address specified by Label 2132.Even though FIG. 11 only shows two tiers of key chains, it is notdifficult to configure the assembly 800 so that multiple tiers aresupported. The structure of the assembly 800 resembles a tree. Thenumber of tiers of an assembly represents the depth. The breadth of theassembly refers to the number of key chains on the same tier. The morekey chains there are on the same tier, the more breadth the assemblyhas. There is no limit as to the breadth and the depth an assembly canhave.

The assembly 800 can be easily configured by manipulating the breadthand depths to closely represent the tiered structure of the keys. Pleasenote that a regular key chain with or without a conventional key tag canbe attached to any key chain described by this invention.

The labels that are attached to the key tags are very important to helpa user organize a large set of keys. Each label of a key chainidentifies a subset of keys and/or key chains that are hanging off thekey chain with the label.

Although the above embodiments have been described with a certain degreeof particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure hasbeen made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in thedetails of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted towithout departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.

1. A key chain, comprising: a key ring defining a plane; and a key tag;wherein the key tag is encircled by the key ring; the key tag isattached to the key ring via at least one attachment element; and thekey tag is configured to rotate around the attachment element and isconfigured to rotate out of the plane defined by the key ring.
 2. Thekey chain of claim 1, wherein the key tag is centered in relation to thekey ring.
 3. The key chain of claim 1, wherein the key tag is offcentered in relation to the key ring.
 4. (canceled)
 5. The key chain ofclaim 4, wherein the key ring comprises a plurality of ring segments. 6.The key chain of claim 5, wherein the attachment element comprises a rodwith a flat cap; and the flat cap and a portion of the rod attached tothe flat cap are inside one ring segment and are configured tofacilitate the rotation of the key tag.
 7. The key chain of claim 5,wherein at least one ring segment comprises a bump and a bump tip suchthat when the bump is pressed down, the bump tip moves up.
 8. The keychain of claim 5, wherein at least one ring segment has the shape of ahorizontal cylindrical segment.
 9. The key chain of claim 5, wherein atleast one ring segment has the shape of a cylinder segment.
 10. The keychain of claim 1, wherein the key tag comprises a tag disk and at leastone attachment element attached to the tag disk.
 11. The key chain ofclaim 10, wherein the tag disk comprises an inner disk and an outer rim;wherein the outer rim has a thickness larger than a thickness of theinner disk.
 12. The key chain of claim 11, wherein the inner diskfurther comprises a label placed on a face of the inner disk.
 13. Thekey chain of claim 12, wherein the label is removable.
 14. The key chainof claim 11, wherein the inner disk further comprises multimedia contentincluding an image or text placed on a face of the inner disk.
 15. Thekey chain of claim 1, wherein the key tag attaches to the key ring via aplurality of attachment elements; and the key ring, the key tag, and theplurality of attachment elements are configured to form a plurality ofseparate compartments.
 16. The key chain of claim 15, wherein the keytag comprises an inner disk; and the inner disk further comprises alabel on a face of the inner disk, the label being divided into aplurality of parts, each identifying the corresponding compartment. 17.The key chain of claim 1, wherein the key chain further comprises anattachment ring outside the key ring.
 18. The key chain of claim 17,wherein the attachment ring is attached to the key ring via anattachment element.
 19. The key chain of claim 18, wherein theattachment ring is configured to rotate around the attachment element.20. The key chain of claim 19, wherein the attachment element comprisesa rod with a flat cap; and the flat cap and a portion of the rodattached to the flat cap are inside one ring segment and are configuredto facilitate the rotation of the key tag.
 21. A key chain assembly,comprising: a first tier that comprises a first tier key chain, thefirst tier key chain being the key chain of claim
 1. 22. The key chainassembly of claim 21, further comprising: at least one key attached tothe first tier key chain.
 23. The key chain assembly of claim 22,further comprising: a second tier that comprises a plurality of secondtier key chain; wherein each second tier key chain attaches to the firsttier key chain.
 24. The key chain assembly of claim 23, furthercomprising: a plurality of keys attached to at least one of the secondtier key chains.
 25. The key chain assembly of claim 21, furthercomprising: a plurality of tiers of key chains.
 26. The key chainassembly of claim 25, further comprising: a plurality of keys attachedto at least one of the key chains in the lowest tier.
 27. The key chainassembly of claim 26, wherein each key chain comprises a key tag and alabel, and the label is attached to a face of the key tag in each keychain and identifies the key chain or keys hanging off the key chain towhich the label is attached.
 28. A key chain, comprising: a key ring;and a key tag; wherein the key tag is encircled by the key ring; the keytag is attached to the key ring via at least one attachment element; andthe key tag is centered in relation to the key ring.
 29. A key chain,comprising: a key ring; and a key tag; wherein the key tag is encircledby the key ring; the key tag is attached to the key ring via at leastone attachment element; the key tag is configured to rotate around theattachment element; the key ring comprises a plurality of ring segments;the attachment element comprises a rod with a flat cap; and the flat capand a portion of the rod attached to the flat cap are inside one ringsegment and are configured to facilitate the rotation of the key tag.30. A key chain, comprising: a key ring; and a key tag; wherein the keytag is encircled by the key ring; the key tag is attached to the keyring via at least one attachment element; the key tag is configured torotate around the attachment element; the key ring comprises a pluralityof ring segments; and at least one ring segment comprises a bump and abump tip such that when the bump is pressed down, the bump tip moves up.31. A key chain, comprising: a key ring; and a key tag; wherein the keytag is encircled by the key ring; the key tag is attached to the keyring via at least one attachment element; the key tag is configured torotate around the attachment element; the key ring comprises a pluralityof ring segments; and at least one ring segment has the shape of ahorizontal cylindrical segment.
 32. A key chain, comprising: a key ring;and a key tag; wherein the key tag is encircled by the key ring; the keytag is attached to the key ring via a plurality of attachment elements;and the key ring, the key tag, and the plurality of attachment elementsare configured to form a plurality of separate compartments.
 33. The keychain of claim 32, wherein the key tag comprises an inner disk; and theinner disk further comprises a label on a face of the inner disk, thelabel being divided into a plurality of parts, each identifying thecorresponding compartment.
 34. A key chain, comprising: a key ring; akey tag; and an attachment ring outside the key ring, wherein the keytag is encircled by the key ring; the key tag is attached to the keyring via at least one attachment element; and the attachment ring isattached to the key ring via an attachment element.
 35. The key chain ofclaim 34, wherein the attachment ring is configured to rotate around theattachment element.
 36. The key chain of claim 35, wherein theattachment element comprises a rod with a flat cap; and the flat cap anda portion of the rod attached to the flat cap are inside one ringsegment and are configured to facilitate the rotation of the key tag.